Bully Love
Free dog training & behaviour advice for anyone affected by the government decision to ban American XL Bullies.
FREE Replays Available:
Muzzle Mastery: How to Choose a Muzzle and Train your Dog to Wear it Comfortably.
Stress Free Dog Walks: CALM LEAD WALKING
Register below to watch the replays & get notified about the next free class
Muzzle Mastery
JOIN THE 3000+ PEOPLE WHO HAVE WATCHED THIS FREE CLASS!
Current legislation requires prohibited breeds to go through an exemption process so that they can be legally owned. This includes an assessment and meeting conditions such as having them neutered, and being on lead and wearing a muzzle in public places (including your car).
If your dog may need to wear a muzzle for all of their walks, you need to make sure they are comfortable wearing one. Too many dogs end up in a situation where they suddenly have to start wearing a muzzle and because there was no time to introduce it PROPERLY, they find it uncomfortable, stressful, and some even fear it. It’s so important to get the training process RIGHT. And American XL Bully owners, you have time on your side. One of the best uses of the few months we have before the ban comes in at the end of the year is to muzzle train your dog thoroughly, patiently and gently. Not only will your dog feel comfortable wearing a muzzle but this will also prove you’re a responsible dog owner.
This is for you if you’re brand new to muzzle training, or if you need to start from scratch with it. Owners of all breeds are welcome.
And perhaps this won’t count for much but it’s an additional string in the bow that can’t hurt… I will write a letter to confirm you attended the classes, in case you ever need to make a case for responsible dog ownership. Same if you’re a client who uses the fields at Dogwood or trains with Scentventure.
Finally, please don’t use this as an opportunity to vilify any breed. The idea that small dogs are the problem is false. If the only way you can defend bullies is by throwing other breeds under a bus, you are part of the problem.
Dogwood, we’ve got this. Let’s remain strong and united 🧡
Katie & Lola - check out Loved Lola on Facebook. Classes are hosted by Katie and her team from Dogwood Adventure Play and Scentventure
You are not alone…
“Thank you so much for this Katie, I can’t believe you put everything together in such a short amount of time! I learnt so much and Lola’s been wearing a muzzle for 4 years! Can’t stress enough the importance of snail pace! It’s so tempting when you just watch a you tube video to rush through the steps, especially when as owners you’re emotional to start with and that transfers to your dog. You are and always will be my “go to” You not only understand dogs, but us humans, our mental state too! Thank you, you make such a difference ❤️”
“Well done for everything you are doing for the XL Bully community and indeed everyone. There is lots of panic and anxiety and so much unfairness, I think it’s fantastic that you are being so proactive and helping as many people as you can; being supportive, raising awareness/education and helping with practical training. You are a beautiful person!”
“Thank you so much for the class this evening, very informative and great tips.”
“Firstly I just want to say a huge Thank you from the bottom of my heart for tonight’s training session. To have someone take the time and without costing to go through in-depth training, law, etc has been SUCH a relief after the week from hell.
The dirty laundry and exploration zone ideas are great as our pup is naturally quite anxious and many of the other muzzle training methods I’d found felt like they were going too quickly, so thanks for these!
As heartbreaking and stressful as this whole situation is the sense of community and love within the bully owner world as-well as other dog owners is undeniable and comforting. ❤️
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“Thank you so much for sharing your vast wealth of knowledge with us all. It was very much appreciated.”
“Thank you so much doing a bully class it has been extremely helpful and comforting in this extremely unsettling situation.
Thank you so much for all your love and support, this world needs more people like you!
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“Thank you so so much for the session this evening it was so so useful, I have learnt so much and will definitely be applying it to our muzzle training journey!”
“Loved every second of it thank you so so much, we are getting on with it today not all heroes wear capes 😘🫶🏼”
“I found it so helpful and informative in these very scary and uncertain times.
Thanks again for this free class, my XL was beside me listening/snoozing the whole time.
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“Thank you for such an amazing lesson last night. It was really insightful for me and my partner to help our dog. I really appreciate the time and effort that you put in and the other ladies that helped us.
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“Thank you again, you are obviously very dedicated & passionate about what you do & it is fantastic to get some support in this worrying time.
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“Thanks so much for holding the Bully Love Muzzle Mastery class last night. It made me feel so much more prepared for our journey, and well equipped to tackle it. I loved the exploration zone, so we did our first one tonight (without the muzzle as we’ve ordered one from Pawfect Fit Muzzles and it will be here in a few weeks) and H loved it!
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“I’m half way through the replay of your zoom meeting and already I can’t thank you enough I have learnt so much already. Your video has definitely helped me so a big thank you to you love Carol.”
“I watched it with my daughter and we learnt such a lot from you, started training immediately so massive thanks.”
“Thank you for doing this Kate, feel so much better this week than last week.
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“Last night was amazing, thank you so much. Just knowing so many of us are in this together has had a massive impact on my state of mind.”
BRAND NEW! BULLY LOVE MINI COURSE
Get all the resources in one easy-to-find place! Plus extra training not covered in the live classes!
What’s inside
Muzzle Mastery: all the steps broken down into easy-to-follow lessons so you don’t need to keep referring to the live class.
The public, anxiety and overwhelm: how to navigate the crisis while keeping your mental health intact.
Stress Free Walks class: defeat distractions to fire up your Bully’s focus FAST.
Neutering: you know you need to do it, but there are potential health and behavioural implications to be aware of.
Stress free handling: preparing your Bully to have their entire body handled.
Tell me you need and I’ll include it if I can! The course will evolve as new training is added.
The live webinars will always be free to watch. This course goes deeper and covers topics not suited to live classes.
Bans are not the answer
We are deeply concerned about the government decision to ban American XL Bullies in the UK. Breed-specific bans do not address the root causes of dog-related issues and have unintended consequences for both dogs and their families.
Breed-specific bans have been implemented across the world, and history has shown that they do not achieve the desired results. Instead, they lead to a cycle of banning one breed after another, without addressing the underlying issues that contribute to dog-related incidents. To create a safer environment for both humans and animals, we must focus on responsible ownership, training, and education.
The welfare implications of bans are significant. While we understand the concern for public safety, singling out specific breeds results in the stigmatisation of dogs and their owners, the abandonment of family pets and overcrowding in rescues, as well as subjecting dogs to an assessment process that compromises welfare, and in too many cases, ultimately, their destruction.
Education is a key component of responsible dog ownership. It is crucial that we invest in comprehensive education programmes that teach potential and current dog owners about dogs’ needs. Dogs, regardless of their breed, require socialisation and habituation, ongoing training, species-specific exercise and mental stimulation, and above all, a sense of safety in order to be happy and well-balanced individuals.
Rather than banning breeds, we should focus on strengthening and enforcing existing laws related to animal welfare, responsible breeding practices, responsible ownership, and dangerous dog behaviour. By promoting responsible ownership, the government could create a safer and more compassionate environment for both dogs and humans.
Please know that ALL breeds are welcome at Dogwood Adventure Play and within Scentventure, and nobody will ever be stigmatised for the breed of dog they love.
We remain committed to the well-being of all dogs and will continue to advocate for initiatives that prioritise education, responsible ownership, and the welfare of dogs of all breeds, shapes and sizes.